“Your dad sounds like a good man.”

“He’s the best,” I agree then lower my eyes back to the cutting board.

“What can I help with?”

I look at him again, and Juice takes that moment to come wrap him self around my feet. “Can you feed Juice for me?”

“Sure, where’s his food?”

I point to the cabinet where I keep his cat food then turn again, only to have Wes’ hand slide along the underside of my jaw. He pulls gently until my eyes go to him. His lips wisp over mine softly, then he drops his hand and goes about feeding Juice while leaving me completely exposed.

I have watched my father with my mom since I was a little girl, watched the way he spoke to her, watched the way he watched her, and watched the way he kissed her without reason, doing so just because he wanted too I’ve never had that. I didn’t even know I craved that for myself. Not until Wes.

“Babe, the door.”

“Hmm?” I turn to look at him, his statement barely registering over the loudness of my thoughts.

“Someone’s at the door. Want me to get it?”

My eyebrows pull together as I set down the knife. My mom wouldn’t have told my dad about Wes. She would wait until I was ready, and no one had called to tell me they were coming over, so I’m at a loss as to who would be here on a Sunday.

When I make it to the door, I look through the peephole then swing it open.

“What happened?” I say shakily, pulling Kayan into the house. Her eyes fill up with tears and I help her over to the couch, scarcely registering that Wes is talking on the phone behind me. “Talk to me,” I prompt and she lowers her head.

“Wait ’til Z and a couple of the guys get here,” Wes says, getting down on his haunches next to me, handing Kayan some tissue.

“Why do we need to wait for them?” I ask, looking at my friend, who now has a black smudge under her eye and a cut on her bottom lip.

“I only want her to tell us once, and then you’re going to go clean her up,” he says, rubbing my lower back.

I nod then move and sit down next to her so I can wrap my arm around her shoulders. It takes less than five minutes for the loud sound of pipes to vibrate my house. I don’t know how many guys are coming, but judging from the sound, it’s way more than a couple.

“Be right back,” Wes mutters, heading out the door only to come back a few minutes later with Z.

“Fuck no,” Z growls as soon as he sees Kayan. His jaw starts ticking and his hands at his sides lift to cross over his chest like he’s trying to control himself.

“Are you going to be okay talking in front of them?” I ask her, and she nods, taking my hand in hers.

“I went out with Eric to get some food,” she says, and a growl fills the room and my head flies up to look at Z with a glare.

“Can you control yourself?” I snap, and he lifts his chin, making me roll my eyes.

“So you went out with Eric, and then what happened?”

“Um.” She shakes her head and pulls her eyes from Z to look at me. “He dropped me home and when I got inside my apartment, I was shoved into the door and someone grabbed me around the throat. They told me I needed to give you a warning.”

“What?” I whisper, squeezing her hand tighter as fear creeps down my spine.

“They said if we don’t stop sticking our noses where they don’t belong, we will find out what happens to nosey little girls.”

I look at Wes and his gaze travels from Z’s to mine.

“What did they look like?” Z questions.

“All I saw was a tattoo of a spider on his forehead. Really, I was too scared to pay much attention,” she says, and more tears fill her eyes.

“It’s going to be okay,” I assure her and look towards the front door as Z leaves, slamming the door behind him.

“Baby,” Wes calls, and my eyes go to him. “Go get her cleaned up. I’m heading out with the boys. Harlen and Everret will be outside.”

“Okay,” I agree, and he bends double, wraps his hand around the back of my neck, and pulls me up, kissing me quickly, and then is gone before I realize it.

“So I’m guessing I don’t need a new calendar?” Kayan asks, and I look at her and can’t help but smile. “What a difference a few days makes.” She laughs.

“You’re hilarious.” I roll my eyes. “Now, let’s get you cleaned up before Z comes back,” I say, knowing that statement will have her mouth slamming shut.

“You know I can’t deal with scary hot,” she whispers, but her eyes cloud over.

“So you’ve said.” I take her hand and lead her towards my room.

Chapter 7

“You’re home,” I whisper, blinking up at Wes. His face goes soft as he gets down on his haunches beside the couch and runs his hand over my head. I look around, seeing his friends are gone, but Kayan is still asleep next to me on the couch.

“You got a TV,” he remarks, and I smile then look around him at my new TV before meeting his eyes again.

“The first thing your friends said when they walked into my house was, ‘Where’s your TV?’” I say, making my voice deeper. “So I asked them to take me to Target to buy one, but they refused, saying something about women and shopping…blaw blaw blaw. So they took us to BestBuy.” I smile and sit up. “Which is funny, ’cause we were at BestBuy for two hours looking at TVs. Did you know they have ‘smart’ TVs?” I question, tilting my head to the side and studying him. When he shakes his head, I continue, “They do, but I refused to buy one when I already own a computer. Why would I need a TV that is a computer?” I take a deep breath and he chuckles, running his fingers down my cheek.